The Emerson Family Resource Center in Oktibbeha County is raising awareness about Child Abuse and Neglect Month with “Maroon Goes Blue.”
Maroon Goes Blue is an initiative that began this year where students are asked to show their support of Child Abuse and Neglect Month by wearing blue on Fridays instead of maroon.
Throughout April, the Starkville community has participated in the event by hanging blue ribbons on  poles, in parks, in front of stores and  outside of restaurants around town.
Students in the local Starkville school district participated by choosing different themes to help bring awareness. The Henderson school won first place with a Butterfly theme representing “stopping the cycle,” Ward Stewart won 2nd place, and Starkville High won 3rd place with a clothes line full of statistics and facts along with real clothes.
The blue ribbon originated from the Blue Campaign started by Bonnie Finney as a testimonial to her three-year-old grandson, who was murdered at the hands of her daughter’s boyfriend. Finney also noticed blue bruises on her granddaughter, and ended up in the hospital a few weeks later. Finney put a blue ribbon on her van, to represent the blue bruises, to bring awareness and to get the community involved.
 
In 2014, Oktibbeha County confirmed 88 cases of child abuse, an increase from its 58 cases in 2013.
The Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention committee asks participants to wear the ribbon until it is tattered and frayed to show support to families who have dealt or dealing with this matter. 
Wilburn Smith, junior secondary education major,  has been chosen to represent MSU’s student body on the committee. 
“The participation exceeded my expectations and we had a tremendous turnout. It was amazing to see people wearing blue shirts to promote the cause” Smith said.
Elmarie Brooks, Coordinator for the Emerson Family Resource Center, said she is excited to see the turnout and support from the community.
“The support has been overwhelming, with the community standing up saying we are not going to take this anymore.” Brooks said.
The Committee will be hosting another opportunity to get involved by wearing Blue shirts April 30. They will also host a volunteer luncheon to show appreciation the hard work of the volunteers and people who have lent their voices to the cause.
Other programs offered to single mothers include  the “A Rest Program,” where Emerson Family school watches a child for four hours free of charge to provide the mother a break to handle personal business or relax. They will also have pre-parenting classes that are offered from 11-2 on specific days.